In between running to Lowe’s and listening while painting my deck, I caught the lions share of the Bosworth Trial coverage on KELOland’s live feed.
My reaction? Much of the first hour or so was predictable – opening statements, etc. Moving into testimony, it was a review of procedure from Former Secretary of State Chris Nelson, who reiterated what people had heard from Secretary Gant all along during the process – that the Secretary of State was a filing agency, had set procedures in place, and had no authority to contest the validity of signatures.
Nelson laid it out very concisely, and even critics of Gant had to begrudgingly admit in on-line chatter that it was handled as it was supposed to be. This was followed up by more SOS related testimony, as well as those who had signed petitions being called as witnesses, noting how the petitions in question had been circulated to them.
The testimony later moved to Bryan Gortmaker with DCI. And here the trial moved from very mechanical yes and no information to what was difficult to listen to.Especially for the defense.
After presenting evidence that she was in the Philippines during the time the petitions were being circulated, they introduced the April 17, 2014 Greg Belfrage show from KELO-AM. To say this was devastating to Bosworth’s case for all watching or listening is an understatement. It was bone-crushing. In her own rambling wandering manner, through the radio program Bosworth’s radio confessional to Belfrage, she seemingly painted her as anything but sympathetic, and did nothing to bolster the credibility and sympathy her attorney attempted to imply in his opening statement. If anything, it eroded it, while Bosworth listened, and at times visibly appeared on the verge of tears.
It was like she was testifying live without the benefit of her attorney imploring her not to say anything stupid.
It was commented on-line that this would be a good time for the prosecution to drop the microphone in triumph. Because as things wrapped up, the general impression is that this was a bad, bad day in court for Annette Bosworth.
Otherwise, today’s Winners & Losers?
Winner: Ben Dunsmoor and KELOland’s coverage. Second to none, especially with cameras being allowed in the court room. This was incredibly well done in the cramped space, and they deserve tremendous credit for letting the story tell itself.
Loser: Argus Leader. Where the hell were you and your “Real Reporters?” Probably watching KELOland with the rest of us. Sorry guys, but you whiffed this one.
Winner: Twitter. Second only to KELOland, Twitter was reasonably active today on the court case. Ken Santema did a good job covering things, while we had to pick through Cory Heidelberger’s self-aggrandizement to find what was worthwhile.
Winner: The State of South Dakota (As prosecutor). See Above.
Loser: Team Boz. Again, see above. It was a bad, bad day.
Maybe the Argus team couldn’t find any motel rooms are parking spaces?
Was very impressed with the testimony given by Former Secretary of State Chris Nelson. He is sharp and very articulate! Actually the prosecution and their witnesses did a great job building their case. Let’s get it done finally!
It is good they brought in an expert like Mr. Nelson to debunk the good doctor. He should think about running for State Secretary again.
Dietrich has that office running like a well oiled machine.
South Dakotans are the clear losers
In this
Bosworth should have been plead out to a handful of misdemeanor charges.
Amazing how Marty Jackley can unleash the full weight of the government on political opponents, at the same time using the full weight to protect those involved in the millions of dollars lost in the EB5 scandal..
Joel Arends notarized some of Bosworth’s petitions knowing they were fraudulent. Arends co-hosted fundraisers for Jackley and is not charged?
This case is like watching a five year time lapse of a meth addict going from wild euphoria to a stone cold expressionless dumbfounded glaze. What is truly amazing though are the number of people who apparently support breaking the law and getting away with it.
Now you know how Republicans felt watching you in the legislature.
Bosworth’s crimes pale in comparison to the assaults on our SD Constitution that you and your fellow RINOs engaged in.
Annon you must be from a wired stoned bat shit crazy group. The voters here in District 23 increased their vote numbers for me every time I ran for office. And this district is as American Apple Pie as you can get.
You have given me a great morning laugh. Thanks!!
The Argus Leader
Lalley has been too busy providing justification on Facebook for AL Media’s recent deep fascination with Chuck Brennan. The coverage has been “unparalleled, really”.